If you’d like to follow my future mindless ramblings and art posts, I have a new domain. Please bookmark and follow http://unquenchablecuriosity.com for my future posts on art, life, hunting, running, skiing, fly fishing, and raising kids.

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I love to make shit. For me, there’s nothing more satisfying than making something with your own two hands. When I step back to take a look at whatever I’ve created, I revel in the fact that it didn’t come from some damn factory where the maker didn’t give a crap about who would actually consume it. It wasn’t bought. It wasn’t made in a foreign country. It probably didn’t cost that much to make. It wasn’t mass-produced, and, for all I care, it may be impossible to reproduce. It doesn’t need a warranty. I know exactly what’s in it. And, it is actually something I’ll use.

What is it?

Hell, it could be anything – carpentry, metal work, a website, a new painting, a tasty meal, or climbing gear (yeah, I used to make my own climbing gear).

Right now, it’s beer.

A Belgian-style Blonde Ale

I made my first homebrew almost twenty years ago. It was bad. I was a college student, and, like school, I didn’t take brewing too seriously. In my defense, a homebrewer did not have the resources available today to make great tasting beer. Still, I wasn’t motivated to do much of anything aside from chasing girls, rock climbing, cycling, or fishing.

Oh my, how times have changed. Nowadays, there seems to be an almost inexhaustible supply of quality resources available to the homebrewer – books, equipment, and ingredients. I’m pretty much obsessed. On Monday, I’ll start my third batch in less than two months.

By the way, if you have any empty beer bottles, send ’em my way. I’ll be bottling something next week.

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If you want to see some Carp footage win its due with all the Tarpon, Trout and other highly targeted species, get over to The Drake Magazine page and VOTE for “Carpaholic”. Barry Renyold’s “Carpaholic” is up for People’s Choice Award in the 6th Annual Drake Flyfishing Video Awards

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For some reason, I feel compelled to start blogging again. It’s been about three years since I’ve uttered more than a Facebook status update or a Tweet. Coincidentally, or not, three years ago I started graduate school, and I spent all of my free time thinking about project deadlines, mid-terms, finals, or the beer that would flow after those hideous events. Now that I’m free of graduate school, I’ll need something (other than a new job) to keep my brain from getting squishy again. Maybe the blog will help?

There will (hopefully) be a few distinctions between this one and my last attempt at blogging. For starters, I’ll try to actually write original posts and not just rehash garbage I found on the Internet – while I was supposed to be working. Rest assured, I’ll be writing my own “original” garbage instead. Second, while I’m a tech geek, I’ll refrain from boring anyone with a worthless story on the latest techie start-up or gotta-have gadget. Lastly, I’ll stick to a few select topics that I’m passionate about.

Here’s an idea of what to expect:

Running – Like many things in my life, it’s a topic that I’m obsessed with at times. It’s also something that I never get tired of talking about. So, be prepared.

Fly Fishing – Ever since my grandfather put a fishing rod in my hand, I’ve been smitten by fishing. Some twenty years ago I was introduced to fly fishing, and I’ve never turned back. I pursue all types of fish from saltwater to backwater, and I have a particular fondness for carp on the fly.

Climbing – I don’t do much of it now, but I still love to tie into the sharp end of a rope from time to time. I’ve had the opportunity to climb in many parts of the world, and I’ve made a lot of great friends along the way. I’m sure I’ll dig up a few stories from the “good old days.”

Skiing – From 70+ ski days when Anne and I used to live in the Vail Valley to the magic carpet with my three-year old, I loves the snow.

Hunting – I’ve never embraced the idea of trophy hunting, but I’ve grown up hunting all my life mainly for food. I’ve recently discovered pheasant and elk hunting. I’ll probably wax on about cool crisp mornings in the field and the love of a good bird dog.

Bucket List – Everyone has one or, at least, they should. I’ve always had a “bucket list” of things that I wanted to do before I die. As a have the opportunity to complete an item on the list, I usually add two more. Luckily, Anne has been the perfect companion through many of those adventures. I plan to dig up the original list (and subsequent revisions) and chronicle my adventures past. I better do it now before I forget the details in my old age. Hopefully, it will inspire others to get out and live life to the fullest.

Western Contemporary and Sporting Art – I’ve recently found that I love to paint and draw. Who knew that it was hiding deep down all these years. I’m not really that good (yet), and I’ve never had any formal training. So, we’ll see where this takes me over the next few years.

Adventures with Kids – For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be a dad – yeah, it was on my “bucket list.” Now, I have two beautiful daughters, and I want to teach them everything I can and watch them grew to be strong, independent women. I’ll probably post quite often on our family adventures.